Middle East yard starts work on second Boskalis crane vessel

Drydocks World in Dubai held a steel cutting ceremony on 17 May 2020 for Bokalift 2, a crane vessel it is converting for Royal Boskalis Westminster.

Drydocks World in Dubai held a steel cutting ceremony on 17 May 2020 for Bokalift 2, the crane vessel it is converting for Royal Boskalis Westminster.

The milestone marks the beginning of the next phase in the modification of the vessel’s hull and deck.

The conversion scope includes fabricating and installing 9,000 tonnes of steel blocks on both sides of the vessel to increase stability and installing a new work deck. A 4,000-tonne crane will be installed on the vessel in 2021. This revolving crane will be capable of lifting structures more than 100 m high.

Boskalis chief executive Peter Berdowski said, “This steel cutting ceremony marks an important step for Boskalis and the conversion of Bokalift 2. The huge deck space combined with the large crane make Bokalift 2 an extremely versatile asset and valuable addition to the Boskalis fleet. We look forward to putting this unique crane vessel to work on its maiden offshore wind project in Taiwan. Yesterday’s milestone is especially commendable in view of the challenging times we are all currently experiencing.”

Bokalift 2 will be deployed for the first time at the Changfang and Xidao offshore windfarm project in Taiwan, which is owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and two Taiwanese life insurance companies. The project includes transporting and installing 62 three-legged jacket foundations and the accompanying 186 pin piles.

Drydocks World is converting former drill ship, Yan, into the offshore installation vessel. The yard said it will carry out the conversion work as per Bureau Veritas class rules, including those for detailed engineering, supplying steel, piping and electrical bulk material as well as constructing and installing client-issued equipment.

In late 2019, Huisman was selected to deliver the offshore mast crane to be installed onBokalift 2.Boskalis also selected Huisman to provide a 3,000-tonne offshore mast crane for Bokalift 1 in 2017.With a lifting capacity of 4,000 tonnes at 100 m above deck, the crane is capable of lifting jackets for wind turbines off the deck of the vessel. A fly jib allows smaller components to be lifted to a height of 125 m above deck.

The configuration of the hoisting tackle is such that the crane is capable of lifting large jackets and of upending long monopiles from a horizontal to vertical position.The crane is also fitted with auxiliary systems to help install tall structures while the vessel is subject to wave-induced motions.Huisman said its mast cranes have a small footprint and no tail swing, which leaves maximum space on the deck of the vessel for payload.With its ability to lift structures more than 100 m high, Huisman’s crane will make Bokalift 2 a flexible asset, able to install current and future offshore wind turbine foundations and undertake work in the offshore oil and gas, decommissioning and salvage industries.

A comprehensive thruster solution from Wärtsilä is being supplied to the yard for the conversion. The propulsion specialists said that, in addition to addressing the technical challenges imposed by the project, it has also committed to meeting a demanding delivery schedule for the equipment. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in December 2019.Wärtsilä will supply four retractable steerable thrusters and thruster controls and two tunnel thrusters.

Bakker Sliedrecht is responsible for the engineering, production, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of all electrical systems on the vessel. The company said the high voltage installations and the drive systems for the main thrusters will be renewed, upgraded or retrofitted. New drive systems for the bow thrusters and anti-heeling system, transformers and new switchboards will be supplied and the ship’s dynamic positioning, power management and vessel management systems will be updated.

Once completed, Bokalift 2 will be operated by BoWei Offshore, a joint venture between Boskalis and Hwa Chi construction.

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